Author: WSTNN

1st Hand Review of 1st Amazon Bookstore in SF Bay Area

It was just three days ago that Amazon (AMZN) opened up its first bookstore in the San Francisco area. In case you haven’t heard, Amazon is giving Barnes & Noble (BKS) a (bigger) run for its money, by opening up bricks and mortar establishments, better known as retail stores.

The shop that I visited is located in Walnut Creek, California, a fairly wealthy suburb near San Francisco, just a 40 minute ride on BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit).

In spite of the fact that Amazon is headquartered in the state of Washington, only two Amazon Books stores are located there, yet there are now four in California. The other three are in San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Jose. The rest are located in Oregon, New York, Massachusetts, Illinois, and New Jersey.

The store I visited is located at 1265 Broadway Plaza and is a little hard to find, but if you can find the kate spade shop, it is next door. And if you can find the Tesla (TSLA) store, it is across the street. The first thing I noticed was that the place was packed. Of course, the space wasn’t as big as the two-story building Barnes & Noble had occupied when they were located in Walnut Creek, but they had shut down in January of last year.

I noticed all the usual categories for books that you would find in any decent size bookstore, but there were a few new ones, such as The Books with Over 10,000 Reviews. Included in that section were the following books:

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life by Mark Manson

What Happened by Hillary Rodham Clinton

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari

In addition, there were the usual non-book Amazon products for sale, such as the Kindle, the Echo, and other Alexa devices.

There was also a Peet’s Coffee located within the store, for shoppers who were thirsty, hungry, or both.

On display at the very front of the store, was a group of books called Most Wished-For Books. Included was the book, The Rooster Bar by John Grisham.

One book had a whole display all to itself right by the front door: Turtles All the Way Down by John Green.

All in all, it was a fun adventure to see what was being offered and how strong the patronage was. It will be interesting to see where the next shop will open, and how many more Amazon Books shops there will be.

The Stock Motifs that are Up Over 20%

If you are not familiar with motifs, they are similar to Exchange Traded Funds, except they are created by investors. You get to pick and choose which stocks you want to put in the portfolio. You can invest in the motif and others can invest in your motifs also. I created several motifs that are available for anyone to invest in, many of which are up over 20%.

Here are some of the motifs I created last year and the returns to date:

Liquid Biopsy Stocks +13.1%

Gisele Bundchen Stocks +15%

Drone Stocks +37%

Cuba Stocks +31.5%

Marijuana Cannabis Stocks +21%

Horse Race Stocks +129.7%

Beer Stocks +12.9%

Wine and Liquor Stocks +20.5%

Virtual Reality Stocks Over $5  +48.7%

Virtual & Augmented Reality Stocks +38.4%

By the way, if you are looking for a bitcoin motif, I just created one a couple days ago and it is already up 1.1%.

Stocks Going Ex Dividend the Second Week of November

Here is our latest update on the stock trading technique called ‘Buying Dividends,’ also commonly referred to as ‘Dividend Capture.’ This is the process of buying stocks before the ex dividend date and selling the stock shortly after the ex date at about the same price, yet still being entitled to the dividend.

This technique generally works only in bull markets, and can work in flat or choppy markets, but you need to avoid the technique during bear markets. In order to be entitled to the dividend, you have to buy the stock before the ex-dividend date, and you can’t sell the stock until after the ex date.

The actual dividend may not be paid for another few weeks. WallStreetNewsNetwork.com has compiled a downloadable and sortable list of the stocks going ex dividend in the near future. The list contains many dividend paying companies, lots with market caps over $500 million, and yields over 2%. Here are a few examples showing the stock symbol, the ex-dividend date, the quarterly dividend amount, and annual yield.

Intel Corporation (INTC) 11/6/2017 0.273 2.34%
Papa John’s International (PZZA) 11/6/2017 0.225 1.21%
Sonic Corp. (SONC) 11/7/2017 0.16 2.20%
American Electric Power (AEP) 11/9/2017 0.62 3.17%
American Airlines Group (AAL) 11/10/2017 0.1 0.85%
Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM) 11/10/2017 0.77 3.65%

The additional ex-dividend stocks can be found here at wstnn.com. (If you have been to the website before, and the latest link doesn’t show up, you may have to empty your cache.) If you like dividend stocks, you should check out some of the other high yield stock lists at WallStreetNewsNetwork.com or WStNN.com. Most of the lists are free.

Dividend definitions: Declaration date: the day that the company declares that there is going to be an upcoming dividend.

Ex-dividend date: the day on which if you buy the stock, you would not be entitled to that particular dividend; or the first day on which a shareholder can sell the shares and still be entitled to the dividend.

Monthly Dividend Stock List

Record date: the day when you must be on the company’s books as a shareholder to receive the dividend. The ex-dividend date is normally set for stocks at two business days before the record date.

Payment date: the day on which the dividend payment is actually made, which can be as long at two months after the ex date.

Don’t forget to reconfirm the ex-dividend date with the company before implementing this technique.

Disclosure: Author did not own any of the above at the time the article was written.

 

Investment & Business Books on Sale

The following investment, business and finance Kindle books are currently on sale at Amazon (AMZN). If you are interested in any of these books, you should order them as soon as possible, because often these sales only last for just a few days.

Office Zen
By Emma Silverman
Incorporate Zen principles into your workplace.
Sale price $1.99 Regular price: $9.99

Scaling Up Excellence
By Robert I. Sutton and Huggy Rao
Wall Street Journal bestseller. how to scale up your organization.
Sale price $1.99 Regular price: $10.99

Super Crunchers
By Ian Ayres
A New York Times bestseller. How smart organizations are analyzing massive databases to predict consumer behavior.
Sale price $1.99 Regular price: $12.99

Sport Matters
By Kenneth L. Shropshire
How inequality affects sports.
Sale price $7.99 Regular price: $9.99

The Ultimate Sales Machine
By Chet Holmes
A New York Times bestseller. How to focus on the essentials and master the skills that matter.
Sale price $1.99 Regular price: $15.99

Enchantment
By Guy Kawasaki
This New York Times bestseller. How to flawlessly influence the hearts and minds of people.
Sale price $1.99 Regular price: $14.99

Stocks Going Ex Dividend the Fifth Week of October

Here is our latest update on the stock trading technique called ‘Buying Dividends,’ also commonly referred to as ‘Dividend Capture.’ This is the process of buying stocks before the ex dividend date and selling the stock shortly after the ex date at about the same price, yet still being entitled to the dividend.

This technique generally works only in bull markets, and can work in flat or choppy markets, but you need to avoid the technique during bear markets. In order to be entitled to the dividend, you have to buy the stock before the ex-dividend date, and you can’t sell the stock until after the ex date.

The actual dividend may not be paid for another few weeks. WallStreetNewsNetwork.com has compiled a downloadable and sortable list of the stocks going ex dividend in the near future. The list contains many dividend paying companies, lots with market caps over $500 million, and yields over 2%. Here are a few examples showing the stock symbol, the ex-dividend date, the quarterly dividend amount, and annual yield.

ConAgra Brands, Inc. (CAG) 10/30/2017 0.213 2.52%
NiSource, Inc (NI) 10/30/2017 0.175 2.59%
Texas Instruments (TXN) 10/30/2017 0.62 2.07%
Hasbro, Inc. (HAS) 10/31/2017 0.57 2.32%

The additional ex-dividend stocks can be found here at wstnn.com. (If you have been to the website before, and the latest link doesn’t show up, you may have to empty your cache.) If you like dividend stocks, you should check out some of the other high yield stock lists at WallStreetNewsNetwork.com or WStNN.com. Most of the lists are free.

Dividend definitions: Declaration date: the day that the company declares that there is going to be an upcoming dividend.

Ex-dividend date: the day on which if you buy the stock, you would not be entitled to that particular dividend; or the first day on which a shareholder can sell the shares and still be entitled to the dividend.

Monthly Dividend Stock List

Record date: the day when you must be on the company’s books as a shareholder to receive the dividend. The ex-dividend date is normally set for stocks at two business days before the record date.

Payment date: the day on which the dividend payment is actually made, which can be as long at two months after the ex date.

Don’t forget to reconfirm the ex-dividend date with the company before implementing this technique.

Disclosure: Author did not own any of the above at the time the article was written.

 

Stocks Going Ex Dividend the Fourth Week of October

Here is our latest update on the stock trading technique called ‘Buying Dividends,’ also commonly referred to as ‘Dividend Capture.’ This is the process of buying stocks before the ex dividend date and selling the stock shortly after the ex date at about the same price, yet still being entitled to the dividend.

This technique generally works only in bull markets, and can work in flat or choppy markets, but you need to avoid the technique during bear markets. In order to be entitled to the dividend, you have to buy the stock before the ex-dividend date, and you can’t sell the stock until after the ex date.

The actual dividend may not be paid for another few weeks. WallStreetNewsNetwork.com has compiled a downloadable and sortable list of the stocks going ex dividend in the near future. The list contains many dividend paying companies, lots with market caps over $500 million, and yields over 2%. Here are a few examples showing the stock symbol, the ex-dividend date, the quarterly dividend amount, and annual yield.

CVS Health Corporation (CVS) 10/23/2017 0.5 2.65%
Clorox Company (CLX) 10/24/2017 0.84 2.46%
Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (LOW) 10/24/2017 0.41 1.80%
Royal Bank Of Canada (RY) 10/25/2017 0.724 3.25%
Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (WSM) 10/26/2017 0.39 3.00%

The additional ex-dividend stocks can be found here at wstnn.com. (If you have been to the website before, and the latest link doesn’t show up, you may have to empty your cache.) If you like dividend stocks, you should check out some of the other high yield stock lists at WallStreetNewsNetwork.com or WStNN.com. Most of the lists are free.

Dividend definitions: Declaration date: the day that the company declares that there is going to be an upcoming dividend.

Ex-dividend date: the day on which if you buy the stock, you would not be entitled to that particular dividend; or the first day on which a shareholder can sell the shares and still be entitled to the dividend.

Monthly Dividend Stock List

Record date: the day when you must be on the company’s books as a shareholder to receive the dividend. The ex-dividend date is normally set for stocks at two business days before the record date.

Payment date: the day on which the dividend payment is actually made, which can be as long at two months after the ex date.

Don’t forget to reconfirm the ex-dividend date with the company before implementing this technique.

Disclosure: Author did not own any of the above at the time the article was written.

 

Finance Books on Sale as Low as 99 Cents (Richard Branson, Warren Buffett, Rockefeller)

The following business and finance Kindle books are currently on sale at Amazon (AMZN). If you are interested in any of these books, you should order them as soon as possible, because often these sales only last for just a couple days.

Smarter Faster Better
By Charles Duhigg
Explores the science of productivity, and why managing how you think is more important than what you think
Price: $2.99 discounted from: $12.99

The Retirement Rescue Plan
By Melissa Phipps
Guide to security when you leave the workforce.
Price: $0.99  discounted from: $7.19

Losing My Virginity
By Richard Branson
Richard Branson chronicles his road to success in this autobiography
Price: $1.99  discounted from: $14.99

Remote
By Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson
The benefits of remote workplaces
Price: $1.99  discounted from: $13.99

Customers for Life
By Carl Sewell and Paul B. Brown
How to keep your customers coming back.
Price: $1.99  discounted from: $14.99

John D. Rockefeller on Making Money
By John D. Rockefeller
How to make a fortune in business.
Price: $7.99  discounted from: $9.99

My Warren Buffett Bible
By Robert L. Bloch
Quotes from the world’s most successful investor.
Price: $9.99  discounted from: $11.73

Stick with It
By Sean Young
How to create lasting change
Price: $0.99  discounted from: $15.99

How to Wow
By Frances Cole Jones
Polish your skills and hone your confidence in any situation.
Price: $9.99  discounted from: $11.06

Be Obsessed or Be Average
By Grant Cardone
The secret to massive success: obsession.
Price: $1.99  discounted from: $16.99

Workplace Genie
By Natalie Canavor and Susan Dowell
How to handle challenging people at work s that will give you a leg up in your career.
Price: $1.99  discounted from: $14.91

How to Invest in Bitcoin Using Stocks

Over the past few months there has been an increased wave of euphoria surrounding cryptocurrencies, the most notable of which is Bitcoin. Cryptocurrency is simply a digital currency which can be exchanged and traded as each transaction is encrypted and then verified independently of any centralized system or bank.

Bitcoin had first appeared in 2008 and is attributed to an individual known as Satoshi Nakamoto. Because of the lack of requirement for a third party system to verify the transaction, it has become a fast and easy way to exchange currency. There is one key technological innovation behind the advent of the Bitcoin frenzy and it’s known as the blockchain.

Blockchain Technology

For a large portion of recent history, businesses and people have relied on an intermediary to ensure that there is a level of trust incorporated into the transaction process. This includes authenticating the transactions and keeping a record of the transaction history. The blockchain technology is simply a distributed ledger (or database) that tracks and verifies all digital transactions. When a transaction occurs, it is grouped together in a “block” with other transactions that have occurred on the network within a short period of time. These transactions are then validated.

The validation of each transaction occurs when a miner is able to utilize a high powered computer to solve a complex problem. Each transaction is encrypted, thus when the computer is able to solve the problem the transaction becomes decrypted and verified. Each time a transaction is verified it will result in a “reward” to a miner, (often in the form of a cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin) timestamp when the transaction occurred, and add it to a linear chain in a chronological order. This is the blockchain. When this is complete, the ledger is updated and copied across all of the networks to ensure that the latest ledger is always being used to verify each block.

Future Impact

The impact that the blockchain technology could have is astounding. The elimination for the need of a third party to verify the transaction removes the need for intermediaries. This could pose a threat to portions of the government, banks, financial institutions, and other companies focused on handling financial transactions. The positive effect, however, that this technology could have on business efficiency on a global scale is enormous. A decentralized currency and financial system could help eliminate barriers that currently limit the way that many small businesses grow their consumer base. Since the blockchain technology is still in its infancy, there are many further applications that have not been explored yet. In the meantime, if you want a piece of the action there are a few ways in which you can be a part of this new wave of technology.

Cryptocurrency and How to Own It

For many new investors the best way to be a part of the action is to simply own some cryptocurrency, the most popular being Bitcoin. One of the most common platforms to purchase and trade Bitcoin is Coindesk. An account can easily be created where the cryptocurrency can be purchased and then sold at a later time.

There are other alternate coins that can be purchased through other cryptocurrency exchanges across the globe, such as Ethereum, and LiteCoin. And for those that are more tech savvy, purchasing equipment and hardware to mine cryptocurrency may be a desirable option. While it has become increasingly difficult to successfully verify a Bitcoin transaction, there are many alternate coins that can also be mined to produce a reward.

Bitcoin Stocks

For investors who prefer to invest in stocks, there are actually over a dozen publicly traded companies that are involved in Bitcoin and blockchain technology in a significant way. Some of these stocks are semiconductor companies, which benefit from the mining of cryptocurrency. Some are blockchain startups. And there is one Bitcoin closed end fund. Keep in mind that some of these stocks are extremely low cap and therefore extremely speculative. Here at WStNN, we have provided a free list of these stocks, that can be accessed here.

The new craze regarding Bitcoin actually has some pretty substantial technology supporting it. And while for now it may just seem like the next Tulip Bulb Mania, the blockchain technology may transform the future of global commerce.

 

Top Halloween Stocks

Have you bought your Halloween candy yet for the trick-or-treaters? If not, you better get going, so that you can support the candy companies. Other industries can also benefit from Halloween stocks.

Of course, the biggest beneficiaries of Halloween are the producers of sweets. Hershey Foods (HSY) is one of the largest chocolate and confectionery companies in the world, known for its Hershey Kisses and Hershey Bars. The stock has a forward price to earnings ratio of 21, and a yield of 2.3%.

Tootsie Roll Industries (TR) has various candy brands for trick-or-treaters including Tootsie Rolls, Tootsie Roll Pops, Caramel Apple Pops, Charms, Blow-Pops, Blue Razz, Zip-A-Dee Pops, Cella’s, Mason Dots, Mason Crows, Junior Mint, Charleston Chew, Sugar Daddys, and Sugar Babies. The stock has a P/E of 35 and a yield of 0.9%.

Watching scary movies is another popular event on Halloween. Netflix (NFLX), the huge provider of videos in the US, has an extensive selection of scary movies in its collection of titles. The stock trades as 114 times forward earnings. It does not pay a dividend.

A major producer of scary movies is Lions Gate Entertainment (LGF.A), which has made such films as American Psycho, Ginger Snaps, Route 666, The Devil’s Rejects, House of the Dead 2, Saw VI, See No Evil, Hostel: Part II, My Bloody Valentine 3D and many others. Lionsgate has a price to earnings ratio of 34.

Hopefully, your Halloween stocks become treats and not tricks.

Disclosure: Author didn’t own any of the above at the time the article was written.

Stocks Going Ex Dividend the Third Week of October

Here is our latest update on the stock trading technique called ‘Buying Dividends,’ also commonly referred to as ‘Dividend Capture.’ This is the process of buying stocks before the ex dividend date and selling the stock shortly after the ex date at about the same price, yet still being entitled to the dividend.

This technique generally works only in bull markets, and can work in flat or choppy markets, but you need to avoid the technique during bear markets. In order to be entitled to the dividend, you have to buy the stock before the ex-dividend date, and you can’t sell the stock until after the ex date.

The actual dividend may not be paid for another few weeks. WallStreetNewsNetwork.com has compiled a downloadable and sortable list of the stocks going ex dividend in the near future. The list contains many dividend paying companies, lots with market caps over $500 million, and yields over 2%. Here are a few examples showing the stock symbol, the ex-dividend date, the quarterly dividend amount, and annual yield.

Saul Centers, Inc. (BFS) 10/16/2017 0.51 3.11%
Mexico Fund, Inc. (MXF) 10/16/2017 0.13 3.13%
Argan, Inc. (AGX) 10/19/2017 1 1.06%
Pentair plc. (PNR) 10/19/2017 0.345 1.97%
Hormel Foods Corporation (HRL) 10/20/2017 0.17 2.06%

The additional ex-dividend stocks can be found here at wstnn.com. (If you have been to the website before, and the latest link doesn’t show up, you may have to empty your cache.) If you like dividend stocks, you should check out some of the other high yield stock lists at WallStreetNewsNetwork.com or WStNN.com. Most of the lists are free.

Dividend definitions: Declaration date: the day that the company declares that there is going to be an upcoming dividend.

Ex-dividend date: the day on which if you buy the stock, you would not be entitled to that particular dividend; or the first day on which a shareholder can sell the shares and still be entitled to the dividend.

Monthly Dividend Stock List

Record date: the day when you must be on the company’s books as a shareholder to receive the dividend. The ex-dividend date is normally set for stocks at two business days before the record date.

Payment date: the day on which the dividend payment is actually made, which can be as long at two months after the ex date.

Don’t forget to reconfirm the ex-dividend date with the company before implementing this technique.

Disclosure: Author did not own any of the above at the time the article was written.